Plurality of enclosures each containing a numerical indicia element

ABSTRACT

A game comprising a plurality of simulated clam shell enclosures, with each enclosure having a plurality of walls including a cover wall and defining an enclosure cavity. Simulated pearls are confined within the cavity and have numerical indicias thereon representing a numerical value. A hinge is provided for each simulated clam shell, with the hinge being biased into first and second stable positions, and being arranged to close said cover wall in one of said stable positions, and hold said cover wall open in the second stable position. In addition, holes or weights are provided for maintaining the density of the enclosures, while in water, at a value substantially greater than 1.

United States Patent Wicks [54] PLURALITY OF ENCLOSURES EACH CONTAINING A NUMERICAL INDICIA ELEMENT [72] Inventor: Carl Q. Wicks, Route 2, Long Lake,

Minn. 55356 [22] Filed: Nov, 27, 1970 [2 1] Appl. No.: 93,114

[52] US. Cl. ..273/139, 272/1 B, 273/1 R [51] Int. Cl, ..A63b 71/06 [58] Field of Search ..273/139, 138 R, 140, 58 R, 273/58 A, 58 B, 58 BA, 58 C, 58 D, 58 E, 58 F, 58 G, 58 1-1, 58 J, 58 K, 126 R, 126 A, l R; 272/1B;46ll1, 91; 220/35 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,591,175 7/1971 Glass et al. ..273/139 1,557,751 10/1925 Winks ..273/58 R 3,516,663 6/1970 Perrine.... ..273/139 X 693,821 2/1902 De Ford ..273/138 R 3,043,354 7/1962 Fitzgerald... ..46/11 UX 3,403,907 10/1968 Keller ..273/106 B UX 3,544,113 12/1970 Hand ..273/l06 B I Dec. 26, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,032,490 3/1953 France ..220/35 769,408 6/1934 France ....273/138 R 1,488,273 6/1967 France ..273/138 R enclosures, with each enclosure having a plurality of walls including a cover wall and defining an enclosure cavity. Simulated pearls are confined within the cavity and have numerical indicias thereon representing a numerical value. A hinge is provided for each simulated clam shell, with the hinge being biased into first and second stable positions, and being arranged to close said cover wall in one'of said stable positions, and hold said cover wall open in the second stable position. In addition, holes or weights are provided for maintaining the density of the enclosures, while in water, at a value substantially greater than 1.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MAY BE PE RF ORA TED MAY BE STEEL PKTENTED HEB 25 \973 3 7 07 28 9 FIG. 1

MA Y BE PE RF ORA TED l/V VE N TOR Car/ 0. W/cks W 7% WW BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a swimming, pool game apparatus, and more particularly to swimming-pool game apparatus arranged to resemble pearl retaining clam shells. The game apparatus is arranged for use in conventional swimming pools, or swimming areas, and is one which increases the diving capability of the contestants while in the water.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of enclosures are provided, with each enclosure preferably representing a conventional clam shell. Indicator means in the form of numerical indicia are placed within the interior of the shell, and the enclosure is arranged to be held in either open or closed disposition by hinge means disposed along one side or edge of the shell structure. In order to ensure the sinking of the shells when thrown in the water, means may be provided, when necessary, to permit water to enter easily into the cavity so as to increase the density of the individual shells, while in the water, to a value substantially greater than 1.

In addition to the individual enclosures or shell members, a net retaining means may be utilized to hold the plurality of shells together prior to scattering the shells in the pool at the commencement of the play of the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an enclosure, preferably in the form of a clam shell, which is adapted toretain a numerical indicia member therein, the numerical indicia member preferably being spherical in the form of a black or white pearl. I

his a further object of the present invention to provide a set of enclosures, with each enclosure being in the form of a clam shell, and having numerical indicia means retained therein, the numerical indicia means being placed onthe surface of-a spherical member representing a pearl within the clam shell.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of an open clam shell enclosure,

. 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and with particular attention to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing, the enclosure means generally'designated l0'is a representation of a clam shell having a base wall member 11, along with a cover member 12. I-linge means are provided at 13, the hinge means having first and second stablepo'sitions, and being arranged to hold the cover member 12 in either open or closed disposition. Secured to the inner surface of-the base member 11 is a numerical indicia element 14, this element being in the form of a sphere, such as a marble or the like, and having a numeral printed thereon. For purposes of the game apparatus, the numeral defines a numerical value for the play of the game. If desired, spring-latch means are provided as at 15 for assisting the hinge in holding the cover member 12 in either open or closed disposition on the base member 11. Depending upon the style of hinge means utilized, the latch means 15 may or may not be required, the latch meansmerely assisting and operating in cooperation with the hinge means to hold or otherwise secure the cover member 12 in closed disposition on the base member 11. v

The game means includes a plurality of individual enclosures, the plurality defining a set. In the set, a variety of different numerical indicia will be provided on the individual indicators, and preferably, one .numerical carrying device will be of a different color, preferably black, to represent the rare black pearl, with the remaining indicators being, preferable, white in color.

The enclosures may be fabricated from a variety of materials, and may, if desired, be natural occurring clam shells. It will be appreciated, of course, that plastic molded shells or shell structures may be utilized in. lieu of the natural occurring shell. When plastic molded shells are utilized, it is normally desirable to perforate the walls of the base 11 and cover. 12 as at 17 in order to permit the introduction of water into the cavity so as to increase the density of the enclosure, while in water, to a value substantially greater than 1. In the event low density molding materials are utilized, it may be desirable to fabricate the numerical indicia member from a metal such as steel or the like in order to cause rapid sinking of the enclosures when scattered into the pool or swimming area.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing wherein the hinge means is disclosed in detail. Preferably, the hinge may be fabricated from extruded plastic materials, but, in the alternative, may be fabricated from any type of structure useful in fabricating hinges. The latch, as previously indicated, cooperates with the hinge, particularly when extruded hinge members are employed, to accommodate the availability of first and second stable positions. Positive latches may be used if desired.

In using the devices for a typical game, the individual enclosures are gathered up and placed within the confines of net bag 16, this bag-or net being conventional and of no unusual configuration or structure.

For the actual play of a game, the players select a number of shell enclosures which is divisible by the total number of players, with six players, for example, using 18 shells. At the outset, each player draws a shell surface with one enclosure only, per dive, and preferablyretains his number in confidence. The individual players then continue in this fashion, with each player taking his turn until all of the individual enclosures are gathered. The player .with the highest total of numerical values will be declared the winner.

It will be appreciated, of course, that a variety of rules may be provided for playing a variety of games, with the structures being readily adaptable for use in a variety of such game routines. Continued diving of this sort increases the skill of the individual players in underwater swimming and, as such, contributes to their physical well-being.

lclaim: V 1. Game means comprising: a. a plurality of substantially identical enclosures arranged to be randomly disposed and submerged in a swimming area, each enclosure having a plurality of walls including a cover wall and a bottom wall and defining a cavity, indicator means confined within said cavity and having numerical indicia thereon representing a numerical value; means hingedly connecting said cover wall with another of said walls so as to allow said cover wall to close said enclosure and confine said indicator means within said cavity; c. means cooperating with said hinge means and biasing said cover wall to closed position when said cover wall is in closed position and biasing said numbered numerical value. The player is allowed to cover wall to open position when said cover wall is in open position; and

d. means for maintaining the density of said enclosures while in water to a value substantially greater than 1 to permit players to compete to recover .7 submerged enclosures and locate enclosures containing desirable indicia.

2. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a plurality of said enclosures comprise a set, and wherein each set includes one enclosure with a numerical indicator means of a color 'different from the numerical indicia means in the remaining enclosures. I

*3. The game means as defined in'claim 1 being particularly characterized in that each of said enclosures is in the form of a generally elliptical simulated 'clam shell.

4. The game means as defined in claim 3 being particularly characterized in that each of said numerical indicator means are substantially spherical.

5.'The game means as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that one of said enclosures confines a black numerical indicator, while the remaining numerical indicators are white.

6. The game means as defined in claim 1 being par ticularly characterized in that said walls are provided with a plurality of bores extending therethrough so as to permit the rapid introduction of water into said cavi- 7. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said biasing means includes spring-latch means for holding said cover wall in closed or open disposition.

8. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that net means are provided for retaining a plurality of said enclosures. 

1. Game means comprising: a. a plurality of substantially identical enclosures arranged to be randomly disposed and submerged in a swimming area, each enclosure having a plurality of walls including a cover wall and a bottom wall and defining a cavity, indicator means confined within said cavity and having numerical indicia thereon representing a numerical value; means hingedly connecting said cover wall with another of said walls so as to allow said cover wall to close said enclosure and confine said indicator means within said cavity; c. means cooperating with said hinge means and biasing said cover wall to closed position when said cover wall is in closed position and biasing said cover wall to open position when said cover wall is in open position; and d. means for maintaining the density of said enclosures while in water to a value substantially greater than 1 to permit players to compete to recover submerged enclosures and locate enclosures containing desirable indicia.
 2. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that a plurality of said enclosures comprise a set, and wherein each set includes one enclosure with a numerical indicator means of a color different from the numerical indicia means in the remaining enclosures.
 3. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that each of said enclosures is in the form of a generally elliptical simulated clam shell.
 4. The game means as defined in claim 3 being particularly characterized in that each of said numerical indicator means are substantially spherical.
 5. The game means as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that one of said enclosures confines a black numerical indicator, while the remaining numerical indicators are white.
 6. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said walls are provided with a plurality of bores extending therethrough so as to permit the rapid introduction of water into said cavity.
 7. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said biasing means includes spring-latch means for holding said cover wall in closed or open disposition.
 8. The game means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that net means are provided for retaining a plurality of said enclosures. 